The Ostler’s Hut

An Ostler was the person that took a rider’s horse and looked after it while the rider was visiting the Inn.

This is said to be the smallest listed building in London, although this is hotly contested.  (A police observation post in Trafalgar Square and a telephone kiosk in the entrance to Burlington House, also claim that distinction.  We can argue whether the others are buildings, but this is beyond doubt the smallest listed building in any Inn of Court).

It was built in 1852 to the designs of George Wigg, the Surveyor to the Inn.  The Black Books for 1852 contain an order for the construction of a lodge at the east entrance gate to the garden leading to the new Hall and Library.  It was not specifically described as an ostler’s hut but one member of the team of porters was described as an ostler.

It ceased to function as an ostler’s hut in about 1900 and appears to have been used as a gardener’s hut for a time.  It also served as an internal post office for the Inn for a period in the late 20th century.  It was recently restored, as part of a major project to restore the Inn’s main collegiate buildings.